Buffy and Blaine were sitting by the pool sipping drinks. "Okay Buffy spill it. What is the deal?"
"Well, after Mom and Dad started fighting, I got in trouble at Hemery. There was a gang trying to hurt one some of my friends. When it was all over, the gym had burned down and they blamed me for it. My friends ditched me, parents divorced and then mom and I moved. It was some little town about two hours outside of LA."
"But that still doesn't explain why you are; I really don't know how to explain it," Blaine searched for the right words.
"Harder, tougher." Buffy supplied.
"Yeah." He waited patiently for her to tell him the rest of the story.
"Let's just say I went from being at the top to barely being noticed. I only had two friends. Mom didn't know or care what I did anymore. It felt like every night was a battle just to stay alive."
"Joyce got that bad? Of all the parental units, I never thought she'd flake out."
"The divorce hit her hard. Seems Daddy dearest was a lot more like his old crowd than she knew. When she found out, she just gave up, on everything, except Scotch. Enough about that, I'm here, I'm staying; no matter how much it hair lips the princess and the evil queen. So tell me what I need to know about her and her step-brother, that I don't already."
Blain's eyebrows rose at that comment. Kathryn had always fooled everyone or so he thought. Sebastian was usually better at sweet-talking the ladies at least at first. "What do you know?"
"Oh, don't look so surprised, Turtle," Buffy laughed. "Do you really think Nana got where she is and kept it for so long being stupid? Kathryn hasn't ever fooled her. There isn't a thing that has happened in this house, island or the city she isn't aware of if not immediately then soon after. The Mertuil holdings have always been large but Nana has more than tripled them in her lifetime. No Turtle, she isn't stupid and neither am I. You forget I grew up with Kitty-Cat. I know she's a class-A bitch. As for Sebastian, he's a player; we look enough alike plus I'm fresh meat. I'm sure his fingers are burning to jot me down in his journal."
Blaine's eyes bulged. Sebastian was his best friend next to Buffy; very few people knew about the journal. "How do you know about his journal?"
"Answer your own question Turtle, where does the golden boy live?" her brow quirked.
"With Kathryn at the Mertuil Townhome. Oh, your Nana is wicked." Blaine laughed at the thought of the 65-year-old woman outsmarting the two conniving teens.
"She still loves me though, right?" He looked at her with puppy dog eyes and a silly pout.
"You yes; your side job no. That is one of the reasons I wanted you to spend the night Turtle." Buffy voice took on a serious note.
He paled visibly under his tan. "Madam knows about the drugs? Does she know why?" Blaine's parents refused to support him as long as he continued his 'silly homosexual' business.
"Yep, she says your parents always were stupid. Only good thing they ever did was you. That's a direct quote. So Turtle how'd you like to go legit?"
"What do you mean Buffy? Who would hire me and for what?"
"I would to help me at MI. Anyone smart enough to support himself in style off society and still have them accept you is smart enough for me. Nana agrees."
"What would I be doing?" he asked hesitantly.
"Well, you'd have to turn your business over to someone else. Sell it to them - I don't care. Just don't leave a trail. You're already out of school, which's so unfair. Thankfully, I only have to go until 2:00. I'm supposed to decide which division to take over and run. I want you to help me choose. We'll work in each division then decide by graduation the one that fits us best. What do you say Turtle; want to be a captain of industry?"
Blaine looked out over the pool; thinking over everything she had offered him. "Will I get to have real input, real power or be your errand boy?"
"You mean I could chase you around my desk? I don't want a gopher; I want someone I trust whose known these people his entire life. Everyone's underestimated you, Turtle. They've done the same to me, but I like it that way. My life was simple, happy then when things changed, it became out of control. I had no say anymore. Well now I do, granted Nana still has ultimate veto but she isn't cruel or unfair. She's hard even ruthless, when its necessary, but there's a difference. She's taught me that Turtle."
"What's the difference? Isn't it all the same?" he asked. Blaine couldn't help feel a thrill of excitement at the idea of using his intelligence for more than dealing drugs.
"No, cruelty is something done intentionally to hurt another with no regard for anyone but yourself. Ruthlessness is the single-minded determination to accomplish a goal. Nana's fair; she comes in the front door. She doesn't lie to your face then stab you in the back. You can be polite to people and still be yourself. Nana is Nana to your face and behind your back. If Tiff and Kitty-Cat had ever really listened, they would have realized that long ago. She never promised Kitty-Cat anything, but what her father left for her in trust. They decided Kathryn was the rightful heir, not Nana. I've known since I was little that Nana wanted me as her heir. My parents decided that it would never happen. They didn't want me in this world. Daddy hated Nana and Mom never understood her; mostly she scared the hell out of them. It didn't matter that I loved her. I only got to come here for one month every summer because of some agreement."
"Okay, when do I start?" his said as his eyes twinkled.
Buffy jumped up diving for his lap. She spread kisses all over his face. "You almost make me wish I was straight, Buffy."
"Yeah, yeah you sweet talker; no wonder all the guys want you. As soon as you have your business in the city in order, we're moving to the main townhouse next week for school. Joy, I get to go to Manchester with the Princess President." They both laughed at her nickname for Kathryn.
"Luckily, I only have a few regular classes, the rest are mostly sports. I've already tested out of some so I can work the rest of the day. So no languages or history; just a Math and Science."
"What sports? The only thing I remember you liked to do was swim and ride."
"Fencing, Karate, Gymnastics and Equestrian," Buffy rolled of her list.
"You fence since when?" Blaine never would have paired Buffy with the demanding sport.
"For a few years now, why?" she shrugged her shoulder.
"Well the golden boy should be in at least two of your classes. The Princess President is in one as well." Blaine laughed at the face Buffy made.
"Sebastian is Manchester's fencing champion and they both take riding. His aunt has a nice spread on the other side of the island."
"Damn it! Those are two of my favorite classes. Oh well, I'll at least get to knock the golden boy down a few pegs."
"Buffy, Sebastian has fenced since he was seven. He's won every tournament he ever entered." Blaine looked at the predatory gleam in her eyes and the smirk that graced her lips. "Okay it looks like you're asking for a baptism by fire the first day. No matter what I say. You already know not to trust them, but Sebastian has been sniffing Kathryn for years. He's my best friend, but I don't want you caught between those two. Their games are ruthlessly cruel or cruelly ruthless, whatever. Just be careful, I'll find out what I can. Both of them like to talk to moi because I'm not a threat to anyone. What they don't know won't hurt them. I do appeal you know, forbidden fruit and all." Blaine's eyebrows waggled.
Buffy laughed, "Turtle, you're the best! Don't ever change. Now, let's go see what Nana's up to. Hopefully, she hasn't bought Japan or something. I don't have enough time to learn a new language." Blaine snapped her on the rear with a towel as he chased her into the house.
"Mother have you seen this? She's in all the papers, every magazine; she's everywhere. I hate her."
Kathryn stormed into Tiffany's bedroom, where her mother was having a massage. Kathryn's eyebrow quirked, to see the masseuse's hand quickly cover her mother. She smiled at him seductively.
"That's just what I need. You don't mind if I borrow Sven do you, Mother. I have a terrible headache from all the stress."
"Uh no dear, I was through anyway. Go to your room and I'll send him right along." Tiffany's head was turned away from Kathryn.
"Thank you, Mother. You're so thoughtful. Oh, grandmother and that girl are moving into town today. The Main if I'm not mistaken." Kathryn left the room or so Tiffany thought.
"Come here, Sven. Let me take care of that for you since we were so rudely interrupted."
Kathryn thought quickly grabbing a servant in the hall. She ordered them to interrupt with fresh towels. No, the delectable Sven's going to service me today.
Sebastian was sitting on his bed about to record last night's escapades in his journal. He heard a door close and voices from Kathryn's room across the hall. Grinning to himself, he moved to his bookcase and flipped the switch. Locking his door he laid back to watch the newest adventures in the sexcapades of Kathryn Mertuil.
"Come in, Sven. You can set up there by the bed."
Kathryn pointed to the area in front of the bed and camera.
"Oh perfect viewing for our studio audience. Thank you, Kathryn, you're such a considerate hostess."
Kathryn dropped her robe and climbed onto the massage bed.
"I want the complete body massage, Sven, " she said, emphasizing 'complete.'
"I'm so tense. I need something to relieve the stress." Her voice was low and husky as she lay down on the table.
Sven poured warm oil into his strong hands. Yes, I know exactly what little miss wants. Sven gives all the women what they want. Starting at her feet, he began to massage her legs, loosening the muscles, until he reached her apex.
Kathryn immediately spread her thighs for him. Sven's hands massaged her inner thigh. His hands started a rapid back and forth movement. She shrieked with the force of her orgasm. Sven's hands continued onto her breasts to mold and smooth them over and over again. She turned over, her body heavy with want. Moving to the head of the table, Sven started at her shoulders working downward, massaging as he went.
"Mmm yes Sven, more."
Her hands unbuttoned his pants, pushing them down to allow her access to him. His fingers slid easily as he stretched across her body, while Kathryn's hands wandered over his body. He slid out of the rest of his clothes to come up behind her. Kathryn moved to her hands and knees. Moving slowly until he heard her demands, he began to pound into her. This little miss is hot.
She began to push against him to find her release as he increased his pace.
"Yes, yes, yes." "Gotten Ham," Sven yelled.
"That was very good Sven, you may go. Put me down for this time next week. Oh damn school, oh well I can leave. It is a health appointment after all."
Sven nodded as he packed up his table. Kathryn pushed the money into his pocket fondling him one last time. She unlocked the door letting him out only to see Sebastian smirking at her. The look on his face, it was almost like he knew what she had been doing.
That's silly. There's no way he could know. Even if he did, it wouldn't matter, who would believe him.
Sebastian watched her close her door. Damn, I guess she did mean it. I'm just not so sure I want my dick anywhere near her anymore.
He picked up the paper on his desk, reading the society column; a huge grin spread across his face. Now this is more like it; all of Kathryn's beauty and class none of her mileage and spite.
Elisabeth Anne Mertuil brings the illustrious Madam back to our fair city. The Main, the Mertuil Family Townhouse, has opened once more after all of these years. We anxiously await the first big party and the chance to see inside this landmark home again. Elisabeth will attend Manchester Academy this year as a senior.
"Blah, blah, blah, so the little cousin's just up the street in the grand palace and the poor princess has to make do with this hovel."
Laughing to himself, he jumped into the shower then dressed quickly. Walking toward the door, he heard a voice calling him.
"Sebastian, where are you going?" Kathryn asked.
"To pay my respects to the family of course." He walked out the door, while placing a call to his favorite florist.
Buffy was expecting Blaine, so had told Jean-Pierre to show her guest into the ballroom. She was using it for her sparring sessions. Her grandmother had found several different partners for her. Buffy enjoyed the sessions and had an easy rapport with her partners.
Her famous quips were back and she was always catching today's partner off guard. Rick had been teaching and competing in Martial Arts for over twenty years. His sessions with Buffy were the most grueling he ever had but also the most fun her ever remembered having. He couldn't figure out how someone so tiny could pack such a wallop.
Sebastian stepped into the ballroom expecting to see Buffy taking dance lessons. Surprise was written all over his face to watch the tiny blond dynamo take down her partner. He had to be at least a foot taller and weigh more than double, what she did.
"Come on Ricky Ricardo, are you gonna sing for me. Babba Loo, Babba Loo. Do you still love Lucy? How are Fred and Ethel doing?"
Buffy's one-liners went out almost as fast as her feet and fists. She jabbed, dodged, blocked, kicked and spun around her larger opponent. Moving in low, she swept his feet sending him to the ground. She jumped up crowing with laughter then did a backwards flip away from him. Rick got up smiling then laughed to see her dancing around him. Buffy grabbed him dancing him around the room.
"Say it Ricky. Say it," she crooned.
"Babba Loo!" he laughed. They stopped laughing when they heard two sets of hands clapping.
Blaine cheered but Sebastian just looked her body over in her tight exercise clothes. Buffy quirked her eyebrow at him then turned to Blaine smiling. "Turtle you're here. I didn't know you were bringing anyone."
He kissed her cheek. "Didn't, found this poser watching when I got here."
Rick had gathered up his things. "Excuse me a minute guys." Buffy walked back over to Rick; they talked then hugged. She nodded her head in agreement then they both walked back over to the door.
"Turtle, why don't you boys wait for me out on the verandah? It's a nice out today, and I'll be down in a sec. I just need to see Rick out then change."
Buffy breezed out of the room with her sparring partner.
"This way Valmont," Blaine said his voice clipped.
Sebastian looked at Blaine closely. "What's up your butt?"
"Nothing, just don't want you playing any games here; wait until we get outside where we can talk." Blaine led him through the house as if he had visited often. "What brings you around Valmont?"
"Why, Buffy of course. Did you really think I'd pass up on a chance at such a beautiful girl?"
"Did you watch her at all in there, Sebastian? She may look sweet but I wouldn't want to piss her off if I were you," Blaine warned. This was the only warning his old friend was going to get from him.
"I don't aim to piss her off; I aim to get her off," he laughed. "She's gorgeous, rich, classy and someone new. What's not to like?"
"Plus she looks like Kathryn," Blaine added slyly.
"There is that; it would be like fucking her without all the baggage and bitching. Not to mention what it would do for my reputation."
"And that's all no other reason?" Blaine's eyebrow rose in question.
"Well there is..." Sebastian started to answer.
Jean-Pierre walked out with a tray of drinks. "Miss Elizabeth will only be a few more minutes. Please enjoy"
"I'll have to tell you later. Meet me at your house tonight," he said, turning to smile smiling brightly toward the French doors. "Buffy, you look wonderful, I never knew a woman who could change so quickly."
"Thanks Sebastian, please sit. Turtle, how's everything going?"
She turned her head away from Sebastian; crossing her eyes, so only Blaine could see her.
Blaine laughed, "They're going well. I'll report to my new job by the time you start school."
"Oh Turtle, I'm so happy for you."
"What new job?" Sebastian asked, looking from one to the other in confusion.
"I got a job offer from an old acquaintance after a party. It took me this long to decide whether I wanted to go for it. It's just some go see kind of stuff; with my background, I'm their poster boy. I'm closing up shop; selling off my clientele so to speak."
Sebastian looked at Buffy warily.
"I've known Turtle forever; I know what he does and why. I'm just glad he's got another choice, before it was too late and something happened to him." Buffy smiled at her dear friend.
Sebastian watched her face as she stood beside Blaine not caring what or who he was. He wondered what it would be like to be accepted like that by someone. He figured he'd never know.
"Are you alright, Sebastian?" Buffy asked. She watched the normally flirtatious teen go silent like he was deep in thought.
"Yes, well. I just wanted to stop by and welcome you to the neighborhood. That's us - down the block in the tiny Mertuil Townhouse. It's only half the size of this one, which means it only, takes up one city block rather than two."
Buffy laughed, she had to admit he was charming. "Yep, it's kind of big for just me and Nana, but you never get rid of real estate or so I'm told."
Buffy walked him to the door at the same time Blaine's cell phone rang. It was Kathryn demanding he meet her at his house in thirty minutes.
"I'd like to take you to dinner tomorrow." Sebastian smiled at her, maneuvering her into a secluded area by the door.
"That sounds nice, but I'm afraid Nana has us booked until school starts. Maybe one day next week?" Buffy easily moved away from him.
"Sure, I'll call you and make arrangements. I guess I'll see you at Manchester on Monday then." Buffy smiled closing the door in his face.
Buffy found Blaine still on the phone with Kathryn. "I'll get there when I get there, Kathryn; you'll just have to wait. I'm in town and it'll take longer than that to get across town." He hung up the phone and found Buffy watching him.
"Problems with the princess?" Buffy sat back down waiting for him to tell her what Kathryn wanted.
"Yeah, she's craving bad. Buffy, she's using a lot. What she had should've lasted more than three days. She's not particularly my favorite person but she is headed for a hard fall if she keeps using this way."
"I know Turtle, but I'm not sure anyone can help her. She has been in detox several times, but nothing seems to change. Tiff ignores her daughter and Kathryn likes it like that way. She needs to pretend that even her mother believes her good girl story; but come on Tiff is the one that makes all the arrangements for the trips to Europe. Nana tried when Kathryn's father was still alive but he was as bad, if not worse than both of them."
"Man that is one fucked up family. How did you and Madam come out sane?" Blaine grinned at her.
"Nana said she loved Pops but he made weak sons; whatever that means. She says we are the true Mertuils - strong, survivors," Buffy shrugged. "Sounds good anyway. The way I figure it, everyone's family is screwed up. There are only a few people in every one that are decent; they are the ones that succeed, nest pa."
"Ooh la la, you French women, so strong, so brave; please Mademoiselle Buffy save me," Blaine fluttered his lashes at her, with a hand to his forehead.
Kathryn was waiting for Blaine when he pulled into his drive. The minute he unlocked the front door she marched past him, going directly to the bar to pour a drink.
"Hello Kathryn, so nice to see you, do come in, make yourself at home, have a drink, something to eat perhaps." His voice was sarcastic, but his eyes were serious as they noticed how wound up she was.
"Cut the shit, Blaine. I need something bad." She threw back her entire glass of vodka in one smooth swallow.
"Well it turns out I'm glad you called. This is our last little meeting for supply and demand negotiations. I'm getting out of the business. Jackson has bought me out; everyone else was happy for me to forward on his or her information. What about you Kathryn; do you want your information forwarded onto Jackson or do you want to handle it yourself?"
"What? Why I don't want to go to somebody else; why can't I still just buy it from you? You can be my go between," she demanded. Her voice rose to a high-pitched shriek.
"I'm not your errand boy, Kathryn! If you want drugs you'll have to go to Jackson. or someone else and buy them YOURSELF!" he shouted.
"I'm sorry, Blaine." She came over to sit beside him. "My cousin being here is turning me into a royal bitch." Kathryn's hand moved into his lap.
Blaine stood up, walking into the other room. He returned with a bag filled with white powder. He handed it to her, but sat farther away this time. He needn't have worried. Kathryn only had eyes for the bag. Taking it from him, she quickly set out several lines of coke and started to snort them one right after the other.
"Ah, much better. Can you believe what my grandmother did? She must be going senile. I bet that's what's happening, and Buffy's taking advantage of her . When I finally get rid of her, everyone will see that I was only taking care of a defenseless old woman. I'll have to find some place that can take care of her, Switzerland perhaps. There have wonderful clinics there."
Kathryn snorted another line of cocaine. It had smoothed out her frazzled nerves. Blain just sat back, listening to her plans, as they continued to roll off her tongue. Kathryn always came to Blaine to tell him her lovely little stories as if he wasn't a real person or didn't know any of the people involved. She didn't realize that he was the equivalent of Sebastian's journal
Around ten, that night Sebastian showed up at Blaine's. It was obvious he had been drinking. "Asked her out and she turned me down; me, Sebastian Valmont. Next week perhaps, can you believe it?"
Blaine led him over to the couch. "Who Buffy? She still said she'd go right?"
"Yes, but it was like she didn't even care. Girls beg to date me; Blaine, you think she's gay?" His voice belligerent as he slurred his words.
Blaine snorted, "No, she's definitely not gay."
"How would you know?" Sebastian looked at Blaine, wondering if he had slept with Buffy.
"She started dating when she turned 14, and before you ask her interest are strictly male. What's this really about, Valmont?" Blaine watched Sebastian, who was now pacing the floor.
"I bet Kathryn my car that I could compromise her cousin. It started out as a favor to her that she would reward me handsomely for then it somehow ended up as a bet," he complained.
"Let me get this straight, you're supposed to do something to or with Buffy, get proof and hand it over to Kathryn. If you don't you lose your car, if you do she fucks you," Blaine shouted. He couldn't believe how oblivious Sebastian was to the situation.
"Quit yelling" Sebastian held his head.
"Don't you see, Valmont? You're fucked either way. Do you really think Anne Mertuil would allow some snot-nosed Casanova to hurt her granddaughter? She wouldn't let anyone hurt Kathryn but if it's Buffy, they might as well write their will because they are dead, brother."
"She can't be that bad. Kathryn talks like she's on her last leg," Sebastian reasoned.
"I thought you were smart underneath the bullshit, guess the only brains you have are in your dick! Ask your father about Madam see what he says before you kiss your ass goodbye."
"You're serious aren't you? I'm in deep shit." Sebastian's face paled as looked at his best friend.
"Like a gay man walking into a biker bar," Blaine deadpanned looking straight into the other boy's eyes.
"What should I do then? I'm not going to lose my car, that's my baby."
"Talk to Buffy. Lay your cards on the table. She'll probably surprise the hell out of you. Whatever you do, don't go through with this Sebastian; I hate funerals, so depressing." Blaine shook his head.
"Can I stay here tonight? I need to think about this maybe in the morning I'll have a clearer head."
Blaine nodded his head. "You know where the guest bedroom is; just knock before you come in my room. I'm expecting company."
Sebastian sighed dramatically, "Fine, have sex while my life goes in the toilet."
"Thanks pal; I think I will."